Beethoven plaque unveiled to mark first 9th Symphony performance

A green plaque has been unveiled in London's Regent Street to commemorate both the first UK performance of Beethoven's 9th Symphony and the bicentenary of the Royal Philharmonic Society.

The plaque was unveiled yesterday on the Regent Street branch of NatWest, where there once stood a concert hall known as The Argyll Rooms.

Beethoven's 9th Symphony (known as the 'Choral' symphony) was first performed there for the first time in the UK on March 21st 1825.

Chairman of the Royal Philharmonic Society John Gilhooly commented: "Buildings come and go, but the essential nature of the human spirit, which Beethoven so perfectly encapsulates in his famous symphony, remains constant."

Hoe continued: "I would like to thank Westminster City Council for marking this significant moment in London's musical heritage, and for putting the Royal Philharmonic Society - which is Westminster born and bred - quite literally on the map."

Gilhooly himself unveiled the plaque, along with Councillor Michael Brahams, Deputy Pieutenant of Greater London. A new fanfare was commissioned and performed for the occasion, written by 18-year-old composer Bertie Baigent and performed by members of the National Youth Orchestra.